LIX Systems LX8100-AM2BB-M2NPV HTPC

We started never hearing of LIX Systems but in the end, we have become overwhelmingly impressed by the LX8100-AM2BB-M2NPV. This HTPC system is incredibly compact, powerful for video purposes, offers a great deal of installed software and other media features, and is unbelievably quiet. The Lx8100 is extremely well designed for its size and the changeable frontpanel design is interesting and functional for matching the device with other multimedia equipment. The LX8100-AM2BB-M2NPV came loaded with all of the hardware needed to get going. The software also came completely configured and required virtually no setup. LIX Systems' concept of re-mastering Fedora Core (and soon to be Ubuntu) with all of the packages needed for media playback and for the installed hardware is certainly nice from the end-user standpoint. The pricing of starting out at $559 USD is also extremely competitive for all that is included. While this system proved to be an excellent retail system, it was not 100% perfect. Though minor, our first problem consisted of finding a loose rivet stem inside of the Lx8100 chassis. LIX Systems has vowed to change some of their practices to decrease the likelihood of such a problem occurring again. While not exactly a problem, it would have been nice if the default software included MythTV and Freevo, but these packages can be obtained from the default repositories. The only other downfall came with the lack of any printed documentation covering the Lx8100. LIX Systems had mentioned to us that in all of the systems shipped in the past three months, only a single unit was returned. One of the LIX Systems projects to look forward to is a 65mm tall version of the Lx8100! However, the 65mm model will not be available until next year. They are also working on a storage unit that can fit under the Lx8100 (40mm tall) and will offer space for up to six hard disks. Yet another product slated for next year is a unit with built-in WiFi and VoIP gateway, all of which will be contained inside an Lx8100 footprint. Finally, the dual HDD version of the Lx8100 is almost ready for mass production.

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